I wrote this poem in 2008 when I worked at a dog boarding kennel. It’s about remembering the dog I grew up with.
It smells like her, that collar
Once tangled in fur,
now a decoration to my room
and a memory for my heart
Foggy, but I can remember
the first time I saw her
Like a frightened bear cub
hiding under kitchen table
Fragile body grew into sturdy paws
Thick coat, black, perky ears
White smudged on chest
Address around neck jingled
Clumsy, obedient
Guarding entrance to home
Her voice echoes in absence
when a visitor approaches
Reality: nothing but a doorbell
Adjusting to life without a shadow
Not your average wound
Next time I said that name like I used to,
Had to take out C19
Responded to: Yogi
Fenced-in field, me and him
Breathing on my legs, dangling pink
Didn’t want to play pointless game
I smiled. Familiar
Storm in my eyes
Wasn’t expecting rain
Evocative